Thousands of people have lined the streets of London to celebrate Britain's Olympians and Paralympians' success.

The steps of St Paul's Cathedral became a mass of red, white and blue as fans lined the route for the athletes' parade.

Members of Team GB and ParalympicsGB received a deafening cheer from patriotic supporters who waved Union flags and draped the home nations' colours over barriers the whole way down Ludgate Hill in the City of London.

Medalists including Jessica Ennis, Ellie Simmonds, the Brownlee brothers and Tom Daley beamed with joy as they smiled and waved at their fans as the parade weaved its way around the corner outside the cathedral just after the 2pm bells rang out.

The most eager supporters took up their places at the front at least three hours before the athletes were due to go past.

Workmen with flags tucked into their hard hats took advantage of their elevated position on the first floor of a building site overlooking the route.